In Focus: Hammers have Aguerd feeling about Nayef

Nayef Aguerd made his long-awaited West Ham debut against Silkeborg last week and his introduction may have come at the perfect time.

David Moyes had high hopes for the Moroccan defender when making him his first signing of the summer but a pre-season injury delayed his first Hammers appearance.

Aguerd's return hands a big boost to the East Londoners, while he will also have one eye on the World Cup in Qatar which kicks off in less than three weeks.

Ahead of another expected start against FCSB in the Europa Conference League tonight, we turn the spotlight on the 26-year-old centre-back.

Timely return

West Ham’s squad was often stretched last term as they grappled with a gruelling Premier League and Europa League campaign — with options at centre-back often in particularly short supply.

With another European adventure on the cards in 2022-23, Moyes made a new centre-back signing his first port of call.

After sealing the arrival of Aguerd from Rennes the 59-year-old boss said: "I am delighted to welcome Nayef to West Ham. 

"We have tracked his progress for some time and I'm very pleased that we have been able to complete the signing. He's a great addition that will add to our defensive options.

"I have been really impressed with Nayef's character and attitude during our discussions. He has a great desire to improve and be successful, and I am sure he will fit in very well to the environment we have at Rush Green."

Standout star

It is easy to why Aguerd was seen as an ideal addition to Moyes’ set-up at the London Stadium.

With the Irons one of the most physical sides in England’s top flight, being good in the air is essential.

Of all defenders in Ligue 1 last term, only one won more aerial duels than the 6ft 2in centre-back's 95.

And six of the seven goals he scored for his former side were with his head — earning himself the nickname "Nayef Airlines".

Of that aerial ability, Aguerd has said: "It’s something that I’ve worked on since I was very little, playing with my head and my timing.

"At Dijon, the players said I was a plane. Here in the dressing room they tease me too, but I’m keeping my feet on the ground."

He also showcased his distribution skills after completing 173 long passes across the campaign — no player in his position recorded higher.

Easing him in

Having returned to the fold in recent weeks, West Ham fans finally got to see their new man in action against Silkeborg last week.

With the Danish side offering less of a test than a Premier League outing, it was a good opportunity for Aguerd to get 76 minutes under his belt.

Moyes said of his assured debut in the 1-0 win: "The game worked out very good for him. He controlled most of it, passed it well, got into a couple of races and made a few challenges."

Moyes insisted his No27 is not quite ready to feature in the Premier League just yet but revealed he will feature tonight with the Hammers having already topped their Europa Conference League group with five wins from five.

The Glaswegian said ahead of tonight’s clash in Bucharest: "We hope Nayef can play as long as he can again and we will hopefully try to get him back [to full fitness].

"These games have been really good for him. We included him in the squad at the start and even though he was injured, we thought he had a chance to get back for the last couple of the games, it’s the way it’s proved to be.

"Might just be a bit quick for him for the Premier League [before the World Cup] but let’s see how he goes tomorrow and hopefully, he gets a part of a game under his belt."

World Cup approaching

Of course, Aguerd’s return may not just be good news for West Ham, but his country Morocco too.

The 25-cap international is undoubtedly in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup, with their opener against Croatia kicking off in only 20 days’ time before further group clashes with Belgium and Canada.

While Aguerd is not getting ahead of himself as he builds up his fitness, he has admitted that being available for the winter showpiece is in his plans.

He said after the Silkeborg win: "I have the World Cup in my mind but my plan was to play for West Ham first to show my quality. Let’s see what happens next. 

"If the team needs me, I will play. I played 75 minutes [against Silkeborg] so the next target is to play 90 minutes."

If he can get fit and star for his country at Qatar, West Ham fans will watch on excitedly as they wait to see him in a claret and blue shirt again once the Premier League resumes.